Group intensifies pressure against bathroom mandate

Pledges to out opposing officials

Scott Cousins, scousins@civitasmedia.com

Published
10:56 pm CDT, Wednesday, August 3, 2016

Ralph Blake speaks at a recent rally against federal guidelines regarding treatment of transgender youth in schools. The group Citizens for Child Safety is now taking a more aggressive stance, trying to pressure school boards into public votes against the guidelines. less

Ralph Blake speaks at a recent rally against federal guidelines regarding treatment of transgender youth in schools. The group Citizens for Child Safety is now taking a more aggressive stance, trying to ... more

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Ralph Blake speaks at a recent rally against federal guidelines regarding treatment of transgender youth in schools. The group Citizens for Child Safety is now taking a more aggressive stance, trying to pressure school boards into public votes against the guidelines. less

Ralph Blake speaks at a recent rally against federal guidelines regarding treatment of transgender youth in schools. The group Citizens for Child Safety is now taking a more aggressive stance, trying to ... more

Group intensifies pressure against bathroom mandate

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WOOD RIVER — A group against new guidelines regarding transgender students in local schools is shifting to a more aggressive stance, attempting to put pressure on school board members and other elected officials by threatening a campaign to publicize the names of any politicians not supporting its fight.

The local ad hoc group Citizens for Child Safety has been attending local school board meetings and spaking out against the guidelines, which would allow students to choose their “gender identity” and use corresponding facilities, including restrooms and lockers.

On Tuesday, Ralph Blake, pastor of Harmony Baptist Church in Godfrey and one of the group’s organizers, spoke at the East Alton-Wood River High School District’s board meeting.

In addition to asking the board for support against the guidelines, something they have done at other board meetings, Blake noted that the group would be “observing and making note” of board members’ response, and in November will “publicly reveal” the position of those on the ballot, and will do the same when school board elections come up in the spring. He said the group also plans to buy advertising in local media to publicize politician’s views.

He noted that while individual board members may not be liable for any incidents, they are “morally responsible” and should demand a public vote on the issue.

“So it will be to your advantage to force, if necessary, your superintendent to bring this issue to a public vote, on the record, so that you can clear your name as one who voted to keep the children safe,” Blake said in a prepared statement.

He said the group will also encourage parents to “strongly consider” removing their students from schools where the mandate is implemented.

General guidelines were spelled out in a “Dear Colleague Letter on Transgender Students” issued May 13 by the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, and Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

According to the letter, gender identity is based on the student’s or parent’s preference. Students must also be allowed to participate in sex-segregated activities “consistent with their gender identity” and allow students access to facilities – lockers and restrooms - under those same terms. It also prohibits schools from forcing students to use “individual-user facilities” such as a restroom in the nurse’s office if other students are not required to.